Clicking sound (electronics fade) / climatronic problem

[heineoen]

Hi!

Last week a problem started appearing on my Roomster.

There is a clicking sound (I think from the dash), when engine is running.

When I here the clicking sound all of the electronics in the car fades as far as I can see.

Dashboard illumination and headlights flickers off and on again for a short second.

The sound takes about a 10 second break before it gives me a new "click" again.

After driving my car for about 5 minutes the problem seems to stop.

Suggestions are much appreciated? :think:

Edited 29 October, 2012 by heineoen

[stratosg]

Hi there! Maybe your battery is almost dead? Or have you over equipped your car with electronic or other electric power consuming devices?

I am asking because my Roomster since day one producing a clicking sound like suffering by short circuit. This sound occurs when idle having my alarm side lights (the red triangle button - emergency side lights) activated in combination with rear wind screen defrost button. Then while moving the steering wheel from one side to another (as performing or while performing parking maneuvers) the sound appears, coming from behind of my dash board. Sound comes up even easier is a/c is activated too.

I also heard this sound in a brand new Fabia 1.2Tsi while owner was picking his car from dealership. 1.2Tsi Roomsters and Fabias are fitted with a 44Ah (or 45Ah can't remember) batteries and when power consumption is high, ECU cuts the comfort systems such as rear window defrost, in order to support safety systems such as steering rack which is over consuming power since it's power driven, producing that clicking sound, like a short circuited relay.

An other thing that pops up in my mind is something about your alternator. But then the red battery icon should stay on your dash board.

By the way, I assume that you already know that when your car is idle and turn your steering wheel all lights inside and outside the car are instantly dimming. It is the same scenario about instant high electric power demand - consumption.

Then you can take your car to a car electrician or in a dealership in order to have both alternator and battery checked.

----EDIT----

I forgot to mention I really like your car.

Edited 24 October, 2012 by stratosg

[heineoen]

Hi, thanks for your reply regarding my problem!

I have no battery icon warning, the battery is working if the car don’t stand still for more than 3 days.

After that I need to recharge it, I believe this is not the cause but a side effect of my problem?

I can charge my battery full and still have the clicking problem.

I thought the sound was coming from the fuse box under the steering wheel, but after listening more careful the “click” comes from the instrument panel or behind the steering wheel somewhere.

It’s it not a problem related to acute heavy power draw.

And thanks!

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Update:

I contacted a local Skoda dealer per telephone.

They stated there should be a relay panel on the left hand side of the steering wheel tribe.

Judging by the sound a faulty relay is possible I guess.

-----

Update 2:

I set fan speed on the digital climatronic to off today. The click problem disappeared! When I turn the fan on again the "clicking" starts!

Edited 29 October, 2012 by heineoen

[stratosg]

I still believe that is a electric power consumption problem related to your battery, especially after your second update referring to climatronic. I do not think that your climatronic unit is erratic (in my honest opinion), but it certainly consumes power. And yes that's where the sound comes from my Roomster too. Somewhere on the left and amongst steering wheel and dash panel. Don't forget that signal light's stalk has an integrated relay, but this is not the source of the sound (Always in my opinion and after 10 years of driving Skodas). And of course lets try to find the source of your problem starting from the easiest and cheaper factors e.g. battery is cheaper than alternator, and alternator is cheaper than a climatronic unit etc.

I realize that in Norway temperature is very low, but if it is above 0 degrees centigrade or up to -3 or -5 your battery should be able to start the car without recharging after three days of standstill. I left my previous Octavia for two months without any battery issues, my previous Fabia for over a week again with no issues and the Roomster for about 10 days without any battery issues. I also park Roomster every Friday noon and move her again Monday morning. Never need to recharge the battery no matter if it is Summer or Winter.

I insist that you have to have your battery checked by a specialist. There will be no warning light if your battery is dieing, or some day your dash panel will be flashing like a Christmas tree and your car won't start. The battery warning light comes on when there is an alternator problem.

An easy way to check your battery is your windows. Turn the ignition on but do not start your engine. Then press the button to lower (open) your window and watch and listen carefully the sound that mechanism produces in combination of the motor's speed and then close the window. Then turn your engine on and perform the same operation. If your window is going up and down more easily now, then it is a sign that your battery is weak. Another sign of weakness is the time is needed for the starter to start the engine. When battery is new, two or three starter turns are firing up the engine.

I will keep an eye on your thread to find out the source of your problem hoping that it won't cost you much money.